Fractional CFO

Essentials › Accounting › Fractional CFO

Strategic financeUnited Kingdom

The problem it solves

Founders reach a point where the big decisions are financial: raising money, hiring ahead of revenue, changing prices, entering a new market or preparing for a sale. A full-time CFO is expensive and often unnecessary at this stage, but making those calls without senior finance input is risky.

What it covers

  • Financial strategy and planning
  • Budgets, forecasts and scenario models
  • Fundraising preparation, investor materials and due diligence
  • Board reporting and investor relations
  • Pricing, margin and unit economics
  • Bank and lender relationships
  • Building and leading the finance function

Who it is for

Owner-managed and investor-backed businesses that are scaling, raising money or preparing for exit, usually with solid bookkeeping and management accounts already in place.

Good to know in the UK

  • A fractional CFO typically works a set number of days a month, scaling up around a funding round or transaction.
  • The role complements a bookkeeper or financial controller rather than replacing them: the CFO uses the numbers to make decisions, while others keep them accurate.

Questions to ask a provider

  • Have you worked with businesses of our size and sector?
  • Have you raised funding or run a sale process before?
  • How many days a month would you recommend, and why?
  • Who will do the day-to-day finance work?

This is a plain-English summary for United Kingdom businesses. It is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice, and rules change: facts last checked 8 November 2026. Speak to a qualified adviser about your own situation.